'Standing Room Only' on Serious Eats

I walked up to Johnny O's with the intent to fall in love. I have a serious weakness for old school Chicago stands, especially ones with faded signs and walkup windows. Added to this, Johnny O's specializes in two hard to find Chicago classics: the breaded steak sandwich and the mother-in-law. Very few places serve either, and I've never been anywhere that served both. More

In a city where most stands serve the exact same brands in exactly the same way, Parse's deserves a visit. The northwestern stand serves an incredible Polish sausage from nearby Harczak's Sausage shop. More

Oh, Snarf's. What a silly name you have. As is the standard these days, the sandwiches are toasted. But, wait! Hasn't a massive local chain already cornered the toasted sandwich scene in the Loop? More

Like many of my favorite stands in Chicago, Mr. Spanky's makes little sense and is all the better for it. For example, here you can procure house-made bacon and sausage, freshly prepared salads, and, just to throw the whole thing off, meaty mini-sandwiches served on a "custom made Chinese baked bun." More

Will Chicago ever run out of stands to visit? I doubt it. Just when I think I've uncovered every walkup window in the metropolitan area, I come across an unsuspecting option hidden in plain sight. Check out the most popular stands of 2012. More

Sam's Red Hot's in Bucktown is a stand in the truest sense of the word. Forget about seating, there's not even a counter to lean on. All you can do is order from the walkup window on Armitage, get your food, and leave. More

Mustard's Last Stand is one of a number of hot dog joints in Chicago with a questionably funny name. Though this time it also functions as a fair warning. Sure, it proudly announces our city's love of the yellow condiment over its more famous tomato-based cousin. But more importantly, this is also your last chance to fill up before catching a football or basketball game at Northwestern University in Evanston. More

Though it just opened up in Lincoln Park, Polka's is not new. In fact, the deli relocated from a storefront on the South Side, where it had been operating since 1945. While the pierogis are good, the real news here is the excellent house-made sausage. More

Fat Johnnie's is mostly known as the home of the mother-in-law, a strange South Side original, where a hot dog's right and natural place on a bun is replaced by a cornmeal tamale. In theory, this should not work. And yet, miraculously, somehow the mother-in-law does. More

I almost cried with joy when I unwrapped the cheeseburger at Hamburger Heaven Express and gazed upon the patty's gorgeous blackened crust—clear evidence of a hot griddle. Look at it! I legitimately thought I had found paradise. More

Unlike most barbecue joints using aquarium-style smokers, Mary Lee's location in the South Loop near Chinatown and McCormick Place is downright convenient. But how does it hold up to the Uncle John's of the world? More

For the unacquainted, this is what the pastrami from Fumare Meats looks like. Who do we have to thank for importing this fine delicacy to our city? Not New York. Heck, not even Los Angeles. As advertised proudly, this is Montreal-style smoked meat. Thank you, Canada. More